Katie Holmes was too busy acting in All My Sons on Broadway to give much thought to celebrating her big 3-0. However, hubby Tom Cruise had not forgotten.

After the performance, while the audience was still in their seats, the cast and crew gathered onstage and costar John Lithgow said, “Tom Cruise, our good friend, devoted fan to the show, doting husband of Katie, could not be here tonight. He’s heartsick that he couldn’t be here … but he wanted to make his presence felt. So, he’s joining us, inviting all of you, to celebrate Katie’s birthday.”

Enter a 5-tiered cake.

Cruise explained to People Magazine, “I planned it so that when she comes out for the standing ovation, John [would] get the whole audience to wish her a happy birthday.”

Using her stage-whisper voice, a humbled Holmes said, “Thank you for coming out to the show tonight. It was a real pleasure.”